Leg Pain During Pregnancy- Causes & Prevention

If you’re suffering from terrible leg cramps, you are absolutely not alone! Many pregnant women go through this phase throughout their second or third trimester, especially at night. These painful spasms might be due to changes in blood circulation or tension on your leg muscles as a result of carrying additional weight. But don’t worry, ladies, we’re here to help you out with the best prevention methods. But first, let’s understand the causes of leg cramps during pregnancy and when to consult your doctor. 

What Causes Leg Pain During Pregnancy? 

Leg cramps during pregnancy generally occurs in your calf muscles or foot. It’s an indication that your muscles are tightening due to bodily changes. These cramps frequently occur at night and are more likely to appear in the  later stages of pregnancy. They can be incredibly unpleasant, and it might be difficult for you to determine what to do. 

Carrying additional weight, changes in your metabolism, vitamin deficiency, being too active or not being active enough are all suggested causes of leg cramps during pregnancy. 

Can You Prevent Leg Pain During Early Pregnancy?

Yes, you can. Do some gentle workouts, such as walking or swimming, as well as specific exercises, such as calf lifts and walking on the spot. All these exercises are beneficial for increasing blood flow to your legs and help in reducing cramps. 

But do not indulge in too strenuous workouts, as that can worsen your pain. We suggest you go for a walk and do some light stretches. You can also try these foot and leg exercises to say bye bye to leg cramps forever.

• Bending and stretching your foot up and down for 20-30 minutes.
• Rotate your foot eight times in one direction and eight times in the other.
• Repeat with the opposite foot. 

Make sure to stretch your leg muscles before bedtime. It will help in reducing nighttime cramps. However, you can also take magnesium supplements, which are also beneficial. But first, consult your doctor to see whether this is an option for you or not. 

Home Remedies For Leg Cramps During Pregnancy

Here are some leg pain during pregnancy remedies that you can try to soothe your pain. 

• Take magnesium supplements and do exercises to strengthen your leg muscles and stay active all day long.
• Keep yourself hydrated to prevent cramps. If you are well-hydrated, your urine will be clear or light yellow in colour. If your urine appears deep yellow, it indicates that you aren’t drinking enough water. So during pregnancy, try to drink at least 5-6 glasses of water every day.
• In some cases low calcium levels in your blood during pregnancy can lead to leg cramps. Hence have at least 1,000 mg of calcium every day. 
• Choose shoes that are supportive, functional, and comfortable to wear. Wearing shoes with a heel can cause leg cramps, so it’s highly recommended to choose flat footwear over heels. 
• Sometimes, taking a hot shower or applying ice massage on the affected area also helps reduce the pain. 

When To See Your Doctor

You should consult your doctor immediately during the following situations:

• You noice sudden swelling on your feet.
• Your leg cramps are interrupting your sleep.
• The cramps are getting really painful with time.
• Experiencing trouble in walking. 
• It’s making you anxious. 

If you’re not sure what to do when you experience leg cramps or how to deal with it, consult your doctor right away without any hesitation. 

Takeway

If the right leg pain during pregnancy or the left one is getting severe and prolonged and you’re observing large swelling on your feet then it could indicate Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is a blood clot in a vein that requires immediate medical attention without any delay. 

FAQs

How to relieve leg pain at night during pregnancy? 

In this case, take calcium or magnesium supplements at night before sleep and see if it works. 

How can I relieve leg pain during pregnancy instantly? 

If you have continuous leg pains during pregnancy, then stretch your calf muscle on the affected side. Also, do exercises such as walking for 30 minutes as that helps in preventing a recurrence of the leg cramp. Taking a hot shower is also beneficial.

Is leg pain normal in the second trimester? 

Yes, leg cramps are common during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

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